‘It was very diverse culturally’

Mr. Dutta particularly appreciated the dance, ‘The Mystical Phoenix.’
‘It was very diverse culturally’
1/29/2009
Updated:
1/30/2009
NEWARK, NJ—The highly acclaimed Divine Performing Arts show held January 27 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Prudential Hall in Newark, satisfied at least two families.

Mr. Dutta, the vice-president of a prominent New York company, attended the New-York-based production to share his passion with his son. Meanwhile Mr. Besner, was sharing some magical moments with his daughter.

“It was very nice, very diverse culturally,” said Mr. Dutta of the New York-based production. “Lots of color, music and dancing ... so very nice. I have a passion for Chinese culture and I’m passing it on to [his son,] exposing him to Chinese culture, dance, and all.”

The lavish show features world-class performers, stunning costumes and backdrops, powerful drum rhythms, and an orchestra that consists of both Eastern and Western instruments. Mr. Dutta particularly appreciated the dance, The Mystical Phoenix, a celebration of the sacred bird regarded as the king of all the birds.

Classical Chinese dance is not merely a rich aesthetic tradition, but also a fascinating window into the cultural heritage of the Chinese people.

However, he thought the music and the instruments were quite different from his own Indian culture.

‘The gestures are somewhat similar, but [the music] is more loud I think, more beats,” Mr. Dutta said.

‘It was magic’

The Chief Operating Officer of an internet software company, Mr. Besner, who attended with his family, thought the show was beyond description.

“Oh, it was beautiful. The costumes were beautiful, the dancers, wonderful and the traditions were amazing.”

He asked his daughter if she enjoyed the show. She said she liked “the family dance best,” [Heaven Awaits Us Despite the Persecution].

In this vignette, oppression is a painful reality in China today witnessed by an innocent family whose father is persecuted for practicing Falun Dafa, a traditional spiritual discipline. Fantastic scenes unfold and present a message of hope that reflects the longstanding Chinese belief that good people are rewarded and bad people punished.

Custom-made backdrops match perfectly the choreography of the dance at hand. Many backdrops are animated. Sometimes snow gently covers the countryside or flower petals sweeps across a field. Such backdrops add a certain realism to the story-based dances, beloved legends of China’s, regional folk tales and modern stories of courage.

“It was magic, beautiful. You need to see it to believe it,” Mr. Besner said.


The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts.
Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.

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